by ATP Staff
World no.2 Novak Djokovic has been forced to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open, having suffered a recurrence of the right arm injury that afflicted him three weeks ago in Monte-Carlo.
“I am very sorry for the Madrid tournament and all the Spanish fans to have to pull out of the Mutua Madrid Open,” said Novak on Sunday. “I did everything possible in order to play in Madrid, which is one of the biggest events of the year, but unfortunately my right arm injury has flared up again. Now I will take some time to recover and heal my injury, hoping I will be ready for Rome. I look forward to returning to Madrid next year.”
Djokovic had been hoping to recover in time to challenge for his second Madrid crown, having triumphed three years ago (d. Nadal). His next tournament, the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, begins on Sunday, May 11.
Photo: Mutua Madrid Open
